Antifoul performance can be affected by a lot of factors.And any one type of antifoul can be affected in subtle ways by these samegroups of factors.

The reality is that as human habitation encroaches alongnatural coastlines the foreshore is being physically modified and polluted. Andthe natural habitats of indigenous species are impacted by these changesincluding the introduction of non-indigenous species brought in by oceancurrents, international shipping, and recreational vessels.

To understand how antifoul performs differently over thevariety of different ecological environments, we need to understand how thebiodiversity is existing in each environment.

Having natural coastlines modified to include wharves,docks, marinas, and sea walls including land reclamation and the introductionof building materials reduces the natural environment for many species.Industry, Urban sprawl city development and areas with direct marine activityare usually associated with substantial pollution from wastewater.  Agricultural runoff produces excessiveinorganic nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus into these streams and rivers.

These nutrients end up feeding the short-lived algaeblooms from Whence the after effect of decomposition of these microorganismsconsume all the oxygen suspended within the water column, this lack of oxygensubsequently suffocates the local communities creating dead zones devastingestuaries and waterways leading to the ocean prolificating the existence ofonly the ultra-hardy.

 Marinas with humanwaste, oil, and fuel leaks, antifoul leeching into the water column Createtheir own localized dead zones Especially those where constant dredging stirsup years of built-up contamination of heavy metals which have leeched fromantifoul coatings which are then washed down the channels into the habourcreating more than an effect on the local ecosystems.

This mix of contaminants, metals, tannins, nutrients,algae blooms, create a sticky blend that adheres to everything. Hulls and decksabove the antifoul line, presenting as a yellow stain. Once this adhesive layertakes hold looking like slime it starts to filter and collect more particlesfrom the water column developing into a mixture of living microorganisms siltmud and algae that feed newer larger pupae.

The fact is even as we try to co-exist with our naturalenvironments, we cannot help but add contamination to an already fragileecosystem.

To control how nature isresponding to us encroaching on them, we double down by adding furtherbiocides, pesticides, and other contaminants into the waters just to keep ourboat hulls clean.

This is where we look at the environment, the eco systemwe are putting our boats in. What can we expect from this area?

Are we floating above Mud in a marina? How contaminated isthat mud from antifoul leeching? What is the mud made up of? What biodiversitycan that mud support? What else is nearby that can maintain a healthier ecosystem? Mangroves, estuaries, habour, water flows? or vertical concrete walls,wooden piles, rock walls? is it in a tidal river? Is there industry along theriver? Is it a tidal estuary, an inland tidal habour? It could be a marina atthe end of an inland habour, or a marina centered amongst central city. Amarina in open water, or a marina that is affected by an open ocean flow thatsends warm water from the tropics carrying all manner of biodiversity like anocean highway.

 To choose anAntifoul type that will cover all these factors can feel a little like alottery. As the owner operator of https://www.aucklandmarineboatvalet.co.nz/antifouling/ - Auckland Marine Boat Valet  It has been myexperience that soft antifoul self polishes and sheds itself losing settlementfoul or other foul that attaches in a more mechanical way like weed algae,barnacles, muscles, or oysters. Soft antifoul will let it go. What we call afoul release. If you rub on the surface of the softer ablative antifoul it willrelease a cloud of paint revealing a fresher surface below. It should beexpected that less will remain on the boat at the end of the season. After awhile, this buildup can become unstable requiring complete removal and startingagain. This process is necessary for all types of antifouls.

Semi soft is my preference as it will give you a longerduration and still offer up that self-polishing aspect.

Harder Antifoulsare designed for bigger boats that are regularly blasting the hull surface bythe sheer bulk of the vessel moving through the water. Harder antifouls arealso used for planning hulls where the power of the waterflow cleans the hull.Racing yachts also use the harder antifouls as they can be manually cleaned andpolished by hand using sandpaper or scotch bright scrubbing pads on a moreregular basis before racing.

 Anybody who has sanded antifoul willunderstand just how much effort is required to wear down Medium to Hardantifouls. It should be noted at this point that harder antifouls that are notused very often will become ladened with growth. They rely on the chemicalssuspended within the body of the antifoul to protect the hull in a staticenvironment. They are reliant on the effect of the water blasting to removefoul. But in a static situation their performance aspect is not utilized.

 Barnacles which start off as a tiny pupadrifting through the water column often prolificated from mangroves searchingfor a habitable space where they can make their home and filter the water forplankton and other nutrients. They grab hold with their antennae which has aglue-like substance. The Barnacle secretes the calcium hard plates thatcompletely encases them. These cones are made up of six nearly fitted platesthat form a circle around the crustacean. Four more plates form the door whichthe barnacle can open and close depending on whether it is in a tidal situationto maintain moisture for survival.  Whenopen the Barnacle extends all six pairs of these feathery like feedingappendages called cirri, are jointed, and set with feathery hairs which brushthrough the water collecting plankton for the barnacles to eat. The legs alsohave gills for the exchange of gases. Barnacles excrete a cement like gluethrough their antennae onto the surface, they cement themselves onto thesurface and grow as they feed. Barnacles prolificate with other Barnacles whoare nearby, they extend out a tube offer a couple of inches long filled withsperm that they fertilize a nearby barnacle. Therefore, we see many clusteredtogether on the boat hulls. This grouping will often restrict the vessels'ability to get up on the plan, will reduce fuel efficiency and handling. Harderantifouls with limited ablative effect are unable to unlock the potentpotential held withing the body of the antifoul. Boats moored in fresh waterwill often benefit more from http://international-yachtpaint.com/en/au/sup/boat-paint-expert-advice/s-of-antifouling - harderantifouls as the salt water is whatactivates the ablative efficiency.

We are lucky to be living in an era where we are learningof different methods and products to give us the solution. We are now beingoffered Antifoul wraps antifouls with high silicone content, antifouls that arepredominantly copper, antifouls that are technologically advanced. In the rightconditions all of these will work as prescribed. But which one offers anall-round solution? Cost effectiveness and Durability. My personal preferenceis http://altexpaintshop.co.nz/frontend/product.cfm?page=product&productid=2 - Altex no 5and its slightly harder cousin the http://altexcoatings.com/product-details.php?pid=221 - sea barrier 3000. I find that it self polishes nicely, it has a strong coppercontent and an effective acceptable level of biocides and foul retardants thatstops the spread of unwanted biodiversity.

Changing antifoul types requires a primer medium toguarantee adhesion of renewed antifoul. If we know then we use like for like ifwe want to change then we will again use a primer medium to change to a newantifoul. While we have a preference, we remain respectful and open to friendlydiscussions a sharing of experiences with our boating community.

The  https://aucklandmarineboatvalet.co.nz/antifouling/ - Antifoul services we offer are competitive and knowledgeable. We will provide theright solution for boat antifouling and https://www.aucklandmarineboatvalet.co.nz/cut-and-polish/ - polishingto maintain efficient performance of your boat through the water. We offer goodadvice, save you money and time. Boat Antifouling and Antifoul services areoffered in all the main marine centers throughout Auckland. So, when you arethinking of Auckland antifoul give us a call.